Croydon prepares as more snow is forecast

Croydon Council’s six gritting vehicles will be out and about from tonight to prepare for more snowfall this weekend.

The Met Office has issued a yellow warning that it will start snowing in Croydon around 4am on Saturday and is set to continue for much of the day. An amber weather warning is forecasting heavier snow between 7pm on Saturday and the early hours of Sunday morning.

The latest forecast follows several days of disruption to the borough from snowfall a fortnight ago, when around 140 council staff and contractors worked to clear the streets and support vulnerable people in the borough.

As with the previous snowfall, the council’s gritting vehicles will cover priority roads first, including main roads, town centres, access to schools, hospitals and stations, and bus routes. Secondary gritting routes are salted once the primary ones have been done, and 577 salt bins are available for residents’ use on their roads and pavements.

The council’s waste contractor Veolia will also be doing extra communal bin collections over the weekend at blocks of flats across the borough in response to residents reporting additional demand since the last snowfall. Resident can report any issues with waste collections by visiting the council website.

For more information on how to prepare for snowy and icy weather, visit the council’s website. The website also has tips for drivers who are out and about in icy conditions.

Councillor Stuart King, cabinet member for transport and environment

“Forecasts currently indicate that this weekend’s cold snap will not be as disruptive as the last snowfall, but our council teams are ready to grit roads and work around the clock if required. We urge residents to check weather forecasts before they travel and visit the council website to help them plan ahead.”